The 37-year-old is five goals behind Pope with seven games to go after hitting 20 so far this season but the former Reading hitman is only targeting an immediate return to the third tier.

He said: "It is obviously nice that I'm involved in it. I think it helps us, because if I'm scoring we are generally winning.

"But I don't go out solely to try and win the golden boot. I would not be happy if I won that and we didn't go up.

"That is not what it is about, promotion is key, and if we get players who get glories and things along the way with that then brilliant."

Cureton, who is now closing in on 250 goals, is not thinking about bringing his 17-year playing career to end despite the fact he will turn 38 shortly after the start of the 2013/14 season.

"I obviously have to take it year by year and if I feel the same I'll keep going," he said. "I haven't set a target, if I get to 40 and I'm still playing then brilliant, I take it year by year - no one turns around and gives you a two or three-year contract.

"I feel great, I love the game and enjoy every day coming in to train - as long as I've got that hunger and I can run around the pitch I'll keep going. I could be into my 40s, we'll wait and see."